Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
But I don't want a usual font.
And i'd like to think of graffiti as just abstract art, not font.
But I don't want a usual font.
And i'd like to think of graffiti as just abstract art, not font.
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Last edited by midnghtraver; 05-3-2011, 11:11 PM. -
Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
Use hi-res images for textures ALWAYS-- and when you find a hi-res image, view it at 100% before you take out a chunk, because it's likely artifact'd to crap at that size and you'll have to scale it to get a good quality view of it.
If you're going to have a grungy font, think letterforms are rarely going to work because you can't read the letters/tell letters apart as easily. I'm still not sure what your little branding says "DJ MrJJa?"
And while I can accept graffiti as an abstract art in some cases, abstract art still has a quota to meet in terms of principles of design.
Immerse yourself :]
By NO means is every example on those sites good. See if you can pick apart the good from the bad. And spend a good time looking at examples of good design. Like I said, copy it. Replicate it. Make up your own tutorials based on what you're seeing-- research something if you don't know how to do it. Don't just do your own thing when you have no direction if you haven't got the design-mind set. ESPECIALLY dive deep into the typography-served site, look at ways people can make text interesting WHILE STILL MAINTAINING READABILITY. That is a biiiig issue and it won't be cured overnight.
goodluck
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
DJ who? Aside from the text, I think it's of utmost importance to recognize unwanted grainy artifacts created from stretching/distorting. Ask yourself, "Would I see something like this extremely out of place on an Apple device?" Unless you're sweet bro or hella jeff, never expand, only shrink.
Learn in-depth and know how to function: Gradients, brushes, filters, layer blending options, shapes, masks, colors, complementary colors, hues, saturation, brightness... the list goes on
Not necessary, but aesthetically moral: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds
To those who complain about how tutorials suck--why would you put down something that has direct invaluable information in the style of a learning environment? Either you have ADD or believe that there's some magic Photoshop button going to do it for you.Last edited by Phlegmatism; 05-2-2011, 01:09 PM.Phlegmatism
http://soundcloud.com/catchswitchauto/demo
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
You can still have an unusual font. You just have to pick one that doesn't detract from readability.
Also, really search up some basic design principles and then start using photoshop. If you use photoshop without any basic knowledge of design, it's like putting make-up on a hooker.
No matter how much you try to cover it up, it'll still look like shit.
Once you have some basic knowledge of design, just check out a few tutorials to get accustomed to the tools of photoshop. Then start experimenting on your own and see what button gives what outcome.
It's not photoshop that is hard. It's the designing part that's hard.
Photoshop just takes some messing around with it to know how it works.
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
this turned into a surprisingly decent thread
good job guys! hahaComment
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
Better?
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
In a way, not really. I can see what you're trying at and it's good that you're doin' stuff, but let me critique for your own good because there's no better way to improve than to learn from your mistakes:
The 1px outline on the text does nothing but cause a moment of confusion because it contrasts so much around the text yet doesn't make the text more readable.
But there's a bit of a problem altogether with the background you chose-- black text leaks over black background, almost white text is flooded with almost white background. In order to have readability, you have to have contrast. You need to have negative space that directs the eye. Start doing things like moving your head from left to right over your computer screen, with your image on it. With the one you posted, the focal point is the "MI". Do you really want the viewer to see "MI" first? No, you want them to see DJ first, because from there on in the eye reads normally the rest of it (providing that it's still readable).
Think about this kind of thing. Balancing negative space is probably the most important aspect of an aesthetic design.
Back on the topic of contrast, and focal points, what is the most visually interesting part of that? The background. Meaning that when reading, the background distracts from the process of reading and I'm glued to looking at the background instead.
Basically, you're a director here. You're the one that has the power to control what the viewer sees, perceives, and reacts with what you make. In order to do that you need to make visually interesting compositions that are still readable and establish a hierarchy that makes it flow. Who cares about fancy grunge texture, bold typefaces, etc; you should start from square one.
I think you should practice with readability and contrast. I would love for you to try just basic fonts, nothing but flat colours (yes no texture at this point), and try to find something that looks the most easy to read and most pleasant to look at. Colour schemes, difference in font sizes (Remember that you want them to see DJ first, but make sure also that it immediately continues with Miller), and simple easy to read fonts.
Seriously, I'm making a gigantic emphasis on typography, but what's the point in a pretty picture that's promoting a new product without good typography? Every good poster has it. Some of the best stuff out there is mostly typographical elements, a couple of graphics, usually minimal, that add to the ease of reading.
I mighta gone into a bit too much detail here. Oops. But take my advice with an open mind. Being a good designer doesn't happen in one day, nor weeks. It takes a long time to build yourself a mind that calculates and weighs all of the design principles immediately and knows exactly what to do to get the best out of what you see or what you're given with. That's something none of us will ever have but certainly it's worth striving for
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
There, simple like you said.
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
N spenner nathan miller is how i read that lol. pretty cool tho
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
might want to lose the bubbles it makes the words hard to read
you might also want to balance out the composition. its very one sidedComment
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
Okay here, nothing special to the font. No colors, High foreground/background contrast. What about this?
EDIT: lol I spelled acknowledge really wrong.
EDIT 2: and appraise. But don't worry about those.Last edited by midnghtraver; 05-3-2011, 11:03 PM.Comment
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
I'm worried. You made me google "avale" haha. Never heard of it xD. For all of you who don't know it means to decend or dismount.Okay here, nothing special to the font. No colors, High foreground/background contrast. What about this?
EDIT: lol I spelled acknowledge really wrong.
EDIT 2: and appraise. But don't worry about those.
This sig has been enhanced by the FFR Staff for being too large. Thank you for participating.Comment
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Re: Photoshop Is Hard.
That took me 15 extra seconds to read. When you have to decipher each word, "Alive" doesn't stand out at all. There's such a massive size contrast between the A and the rest of the letters that it throws everything off. It's creative for sure, just could be executed better.Comment
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